baldric

American  

[bawl-drik] / ˈbɔl drɪk /

Or baldrick

noun

1. a belt, sometimes richly ornamented, worn diagonally from shoulder to hip, supporting a sword, horn, etc.

---

baldric British  

/ ˈbɔːldrɪk /

noun

1. a wide silk sash or leather belt worn over the right shoulder to the left hip for carrying a sword, etc

---

Other Word Forms

• baldricked adjective

Etymology

Origin of baldric

1250–1300; Middle English bauderik, bawdryk, baudry < Anglo-French baudré, baldré, Old French baldrei, baudré, perhaps < Frankish *baltirad sword belt, equivalent to Latin balte ( us ) belt + Germanic *-rad provision, equipment (compare Old High German rat ); source of final -ik uncertain

Example Sentences

Buckles may have been used on a baldric - or sword-belt - and so the mystery object may have been a matching mount.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2021

On a baldric he wore a great horn tipped with silver that now was laid upon his knees.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Presently a couple of horsemen issued from the forest, clad in hunters' attire, with a green baldric over their shoulders and down to their waists, from which was suspended a hunter's horn.

From The Last of the Vikings by Bowling, John

Slung from his right shoulder by a baldric, the sword was nearly four feet in length, perfectly straight, double-edged, and strong in the forte.

From The Great Mogul by Tracy, Louis

One of those jewels on his baldric there Would feed them all in plenty all their lives!

From Collected Poems Volume Two by Noyes, Alfred